Ep 5. Jungle Fix

This is Life with Lisa Ling season 1 episode 5, titled "Jungle Fix," takes viewers on a journey to the depths of the Amazon rainforest where indigenous tribes live off the land. The episode sheds light on the growing movement of alternative medicine, specifically plant-based treatments, and the use of these remedies by the tribal people.

The episode begins by addressing the rising popularity of alternative medicine in the United States, particularly the use of plant-based medicines. Lisa Ling sets out to explore why plant-based remedies are gaining popularity despite their lack of scientific backing. She talks to experts in this field and visits a plant medicine clinic in California, where people seek alternative healing.

Lisa then travels to the heart of the Amazon rainforest in Peru, where she meets with indigenous healers and shamans who have been using plant-based medicine for centuries. She learns about the different plants and their medicinal uses, from pain relief to curing illnesses like malaria and dengue fever.

The episode highlights the potential of plant-based medicines, but also acknowledges the danger of unregulated practices. For example, Lisa meets a man who claims to have cured his cancer with plant-based medicine, but when Lisa investigates further, she finds the man selling the medicine without proper supervision.

In addition to exploring alternative medicine, the episode also focuses on the Amazon rainforest and the indigenous people who call it home. Lisa shows how the rainforest is a vital resource for the indigenous tribes, providing them with food, shelter, and medicine. However, she also shows how the rainforest is facing threats from deforestation, mining, and other human activities.

Lisa also meets with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are working to protect the rainforest and promote sustainable practices. She witnesses the efforts of these NGOs to provide economic opportunities for indigenous people while also preserving their traditions and heritage.

Throughout the episode, Lisa presents a balanced view of alternative medicine and the use of plant-based remedies. She acknowledges the potential benefits but also warns viewers to be cautious of unregulated practices. She also highlights the importance of protecting the rainforest and the indigenous people who rely on it for their survival.

Overall, "Jungle Fix" is a thought-provoking episode that explores a growing movement in alternative medicine while also shedding light on the importance of protecting the Amazon rainforest and the people who call it home.